Maternity unit changes welcomed

Changes introduced to the maternity service in Lakes District
Hospital are behind a sharp increase in the number of women
birthing and staying in the hospital's maternity unit over
the past six months of 2013, the Southern District Health
Board says.

Records showed 50% more women gave birth at the rural
hospital in July to December 2013, compared with the
corresponding period in 2012, an increase from 20 to 30
hospital births.

There was also a 60% increase in the number of women using
the post-natal stay service, from 55 to 87, during the same
time period.

Changes last June resulted in the maternity unit being
staffed 24 hours a day, all year, by hospital midwives and
registered nurses to ensure mothers had guaranteed access to
birthing and post-natal support, as well as the option of
transferring from another hospital after giving birth.

Feedback from women suggests they now have confidence the
unit will be able to better support their birthing choice and
care for them and their babies near their homes after
delivery.

''I was so happy to go to Lakes and be looked after like a
princess'', ''All of the maternity staff were excellent, very
caring, helpful and informative'' and ''No complaints with
service received from staff, excellent standard of care''.